2005 Purdue–Silicon Valley Symposia

Toward a Quantum Leap in the Design of Electric Machines

The effective use of energy is one of the most significant issues facing
the world. As sources of cost-effective combustible fuel diminish, a focus
is turning toward electromechanical energy conversion (i.e. electric
machines) to provide the backbone for the energy transition. It is
interesting to note that although increasingly important, electromechanical
energy conversion is missing from most U.S. university curriculumsalthough
not from Purdues. This is in large part due to the perception that there is
little research to be performed in the area of electric machines (i.e. the
novelty in the area created decades ago reflects the state of the art for
all time).

In this presentation, I will propose that a fresh look at machine design
is warranted and perhaps long overdue. This view is justified by the results
of recent research into the behavior of magnetic fields within existing
machines. Specifically, it is shown that under traditional design and
control, the magnetic fields create a much greater radial force compared to
tangential force. Stated another way, the byproduct force is much greater
than the intended force. This result raises a question as to whether
alternative geometries/excitation schemes can be developed to yield a more
productive force profile, leading to machines that are much more
power-dense, efficient, and fault-tolerant. Tools that can be used to
address this question will be discussed, and promising new designs
described.

Steve Pekarek

Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University

Steve Pekarek received his PhD in electrical engineering from Purdue
University in 1996. From 1997-2004 he was an assistant (associate) professor
of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla.
Presently an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at
Purdue, he is co-director of the Energy Systems Analysis Consortium.

As a faculty member he has been the principal investigator on several
successful research programs, including projects for the Navy, Air Force,
Ford Motor Co., Motorola, and Delphi Automotive Systems. The primary focus
of these investigations has been the analysis and design of electric
machines and power electronics for finite inertia power and propulsion
systems.

Pekarek is an active member of the Institute of Electrical and Computer
Engineers (IEEE) Power Engineering Society, the Society of Automotive
Engineers, the Small Motor Manufacturers Association, and the IEEE Power
Electronics Society.